Military-Backed Party Claims Victory in Myanmar Election Amid Boycotts and Criticism

Yangon. Myanmar's military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed victory in the election on Monday, paving the way for the formation of a new government following the military's seizure of power in 2021.

The victory for the party, led by a former general, was anticipated as major opposition parties boycotted the vote and dissent was severely restricted. Furthermore, 25 percent of parliamentary seats were automatically reserved for the military, ensuring control by the armed forces and its favored party.

Critics argue the election was neither free nor fair, but rather an attempt to legitimize the military rule following the coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. This takeover sparked widespread protests and plunged the country into a state of civil war.

The election was held in three phases on December 28, January 11, and January 25. Sixty-seven townships out of the country's 330, mostly controlled by armed opposition groups, could not participate, reducing the original seats in the 664-member national parliament to 586.

Over 4,800 candidates from 57 political parties competed for seats in the national and regional assemblies, although only six contested nationwide. A senior USDP official stated that the party won 57 out of 61 seats in the final stage of the lower house. Seat counting is still ongoing for the upper house and regional legislatures.

According to the latest figures, the party appears set to secure at least 290 seats across both houses of parliament. With 166 seats reserved for the military, the two entities together hold over 450 seats, exceeding the 294 seats required to form a government.

The final results for all seats are expected to be announced by the end of this week. After the results are declared, new members of parliament and individuals appointed by the military will propose three candidates for the presidency, one of whom will be selected as president, and the other two will become vice presidents.

There is a widespread expectation that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of the current military government will assume the presidency in the new parliament. The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, urged the international community to reject the election results and the subsequent power arrangement.

Min Aung Hlaing addressed critics of the election on Sunday, stating, "Citizens residing in Myanmar are the ones who vote. Not outsiders. We are not concerned whether foreign recognition is obtained or not; we respect the people's vote."